January 2022 50 Movie Challenge

[graf1k]

Gold | dir. Anthony Hayes | 2022 | ½

It was fine.

[graf1k]

Fifty Eight movies this month; forty first watches by my count. For me, those are great numbers. Considering how much reading I was doing this month, they're spectacular.

Fourteen recommended down; eleven out of fourteen recommend movies I watched this month were first watches. I was shooting for 14/14 but in a couple cases that proved difficult for various reasons, mostly access, and then in the case of Cloud Atlas, I had been meaning to revisit it anyway.

Best First Watches, Recommended: The Kid Detective and The Mitchells vs. the Machines. I liked both very much but I was really caught off guard by how good The Kid Detective was. And to think, it wasn't even the movie I originally planned to watch off JD's recommendations! Not to bandwagon, but I'd recommend it highly now as well.

Best First Watches, Scavenged: This one's a little harder as the scavenger hunt allowed me to knock a number of really great movies off the backlog, including some all-time classics. That said, the movie I would rewatch immediately without complaint would be After Hours. It just hit perfectly at the moment. Other honorable mentions: Citizen Kane, Ashes and Diamonds, Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo, and Tenebrae.

The Part Where I Talk About Books Too Much:

[Show spoiler]Did a lot of reading this month. Knocked out three of Stephen King's most recent books: The Institute, Billy Summers, and Later. The Institute is what I would personally think of as the most traditional King type book and it was a decent read. Nothing earth-shattering though. Later is pretty standard King as well, but it's so short for him, that was pretty surprising. A very quick and easy read. A solid B- for both. Billy Summers on the other hand, could almost have been written by anybody. Similar in that regard to the Mr. Mercedes trilogy. Not a bad thing, just very few of what I think of as hallmarks of King. As a book about an assassin, frankly it sucks. That said, the book it becomes halfway through, was quite touching at times. I'd give it a B.

I also went back into the King catalog for some older books, namely 'Salem's Lot and The Dead Zone. I quite enjoyed both, although 'Salem's Lot is somewhat derivative of vampire stories in general. The most interesting parts of it to me were prologue. I wanted to know more about Barlow, his origins, and how Hubie Marsten got mixed up with him. Still, minor complaints aside, a B+. The Dead Zone was fantastic. Despite having seen the movie first, I was engaged the whole time. Either I've forgotten a lot from the movie, or a significant amount of the book was cut to make the movie. Neither would surprise me. An A-, and a classic King book IMO. I also finished White Noise by Don DeLillo this month; a new author for me. I think I might have mentioned it before, so I'll just say I was pleasantly surprised by it, as post modern literature usually isn't my wheelhouse. I immediately tried to start Underworld right afterward and was a little stymied there, so I might just like the family dynamic of White Noise and not DeLillo's writing as a whole. It gets an A from me.

I said my piece, Chrissy...

[Doc Samson]

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

[Doc Samson]

Finished this month with 33 total. Scavenger Hunt was a lot of fun. See you guys in the February thread!

Full List Below:

[Show spoiler]Scavenger Hunt
Eternals (2021) - A movie you haven't seen before directed by a woman
Dune (2021) - A film starring or made by the child of a famous actor/director
Moneyball (2011) - A sports biopic
Ronin (1998) - A film with a car chase
Out of Sight (1998) - A heist film
American Gangster (2007) - A film starring one of your favorite actors
Blackhat (2015) - A movie you haven't seen before from one of your favorite directors
JFK (1991)- A film longer than 3 hours
Cop Land (1997) - A suspense thriller from the 1990s
Kill Bill Vol 1 (2003) - A film you haven't seen in 5+ years
No Country for Old Men (2007) - A film which won at least one Acting Oscar (Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress)
Unforgiven (1992) - An Oscar winner for Best Picture that you haven't seen
Iron Man (2008) - A film featuring A.I./Android/Cyborg/Robots
Made (2001) - A film that starts with the letter M
The Transformers: The Movie (1986) -[Show spoiler]

Action
Hard Target (1993)
Cliffhanger (1993)


Comedy
Bull Durham (1988)


Drama
Rocky II (1979)
Rocky III (1982)
Rocky IV (1985)
Rocky V (1990)
Rocky Balboa (2006)
Gangs of New York (2002)

Martial Arts
Jackie Chan's First Strike aka Police Story 4(1996)

Sci-Fi

Thriller
Last Night in Soho (2021)

MCU
Iron Man 2 (2010)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Thor (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Recommended Viewings
The Last Dragon (1985) - Recommended by jd_from_da_80s
Enter The Dragon (1973) - Recommended by kingdoxie

Award Winners
Rocky (1976)

Total: 33

[filmbuffTX]

I watched 44 movies last month and completed the scavenger hunt. I liked all of the recommendations I saw and also watched some all time classics for the first time: Koyaanisqatsi, Brief Encounter, National Velvet, Tootsie, Cabaret, Platoon, Prom Night

Best Rewatches: The Scream Franchise, Beauty and the Beast 3D, Meet Joe Black, Happiness, The Sound of Music, The Brady Bunch Films, Joy Ride, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, But I'm a Cheerleader

Worst Watches: She Gods of Shark Reef, Prom Night IV

Recently Watched


List:

[Show spoiler]Recommendations
1. Koyaanisqatsi* (Al The Strange)
2. But I'm a Cheerleader 4/5 (odguitar)
3. Brief Encounter* 3.5/5 (odguitar)

Scavenger Hunt

1. A film which won at least one Acting Oscar: National Velvet* 3.5/5
2. A film longer than 3 hours: Meet Joe Black 5/5
3. A film that is on any director's lists: Tootsie* 3.5/5
4. A Science Fiction film set in the 1950's: She Gods of Shark Reef* 1/5
5. A film you haven't seen in 5-10 years: Happiness 4/5
6. A post-apocalyptic film: Finch* 3/5
7. A movie starring a musician: Sing 2* 3.5/5
8. A film starring one of your favorite actors or actresses
9. A film starring or made by the child of a famous actor/director: Scre4m 4/5
10. A film that starts with the letter M: The Many Saints of Newark* 3.5/5
11. A film released the year you were born
12. A film where the hero dies
13. A movie you haven't seen since childhood: The Brady Bunch Movie 4/5, A Very Brady Sequel 4/5
14. A film you've owned/on your backlog the longest but never seen:
15. A film with a color in the title: The Green Knight* 3.5.5
16. A suspense thriller from the 1990s: Scream 4.5/5
17. A movie you haven't seen before directed a woman: Passing* 3.5/5
18. A film that takes place in one day: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner 4.5/5
19. A western film from the 60s: Paint Your Wagon* 3/5
20. A movie that should have won Best Picture: Beauty and the Beast 3D 5/5
21. A film that won Best Director, but not Best Picture at the Oscars: Cabaret* 4/5
22. A film with a car chase: Joy Ride 4/5
23. A film combining animated and live action characters: G-Force 3D* 2/5
24. A foreign movie from the 1960s
25. The original film to a remake: Prom Night* 3.5/5

Alternates
An Oscar winner for Best Picture that you haven't seen: Platoon* 4/5
A film you watched a lot as a kid: Scream 3 3.5/5
A live action adaptation of an animated property: Beauty and the Beast 3D 3.5/5
A movie that takes place in the state/province/region you've lived the longest: Red Rocket* 4/5
A film with a January release date: Scream (2022) - 4DX* 4/5
A film with LGBTQ+ characters: 1:54* 3/5
A foreign Language film: Them* 3.5/5
A film produced by The Cannon Group, Inc.: New Year's Evil 3/5
A film directed by someone under 30 at the time they made it: Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat* 3/5
A film starring an actor that passed away in 2021: The Sound of Music 5/5

Horror/Thrillers
1. Don't Breathe 3.5/5
2. Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II* 3/5
3. Prom Night III: The Last Kiss* 2/5
4. Prom Night IV: Deliver Us From Evil* 1/5
5. Scream 2 4.5/5

Holiday Leftovers
1. Dr. Seuss' The Grinch 3D 3.5/5
2. A Christmas Carol 3D 4/5
3. Angel* 3/5

The Films of 2021
1. Spider-Man: No Way Home - 4DX 3D 4/5
2. Poupelle the Chimney Sweep (English Dub)* 3/5
3. Don't Breathe 2 3/5
4. The Harder They Fall* 3.5/5
5. Ron's Gone Wrong* 3.5/5

[jd_from_da_80s]

So I just realized I watched Total Recall 3 times this month

I have to face facts, I'ma Bronze movie watcher

* = First watch

Award Winners - 4/5
Memento - 33 Awards
Speed - 18 Awards
Misery* - 5 Awards
We Need to Talk About Kevin - 11 Awards

Recommended Films - 3/5
Total Recall - Whirlybird Fan
Collateral - Doc Samson
Pulp Fiction - Graf1K

Scavenger Hunts Completed - 11/25

05. A film you haven't seen in 5-10 years
The Peacemaker

08. A film starring one of your favorite actors or actresses
Scrooged

09. A film starring or made by the child of a famous actor/director
Possessor*

10. A film that starts with the letter M
The Matrix Resurrections

12. A film where the hero dies
Event Horizon

14. A film you've owned/on your backlog the longest but never seen
El Mariachi*

15. A Film With a Color in the Title
Jackie Brown

16. A suspense thriller from the 90s
Patriot Games

22. A film with a car chase
The Transporter*
Transporter 2*

23. A film combining animated and live action characters
The Congress*

Alternate Scavenger Hunts Competed - 11/25

02. A movie you haven't seen before from one of your favorite directors
The Last Duel*

03. A comedy film with an ensemble cast
Harlem Nights

08. A film featuring A.I./Android/Cyborg/Robots
Jexi*

09. A movie that takes place in the state/province/region you've lived the longest
The Great Gatsby (2013)

11. A film starring a disabled actor/actress
Godzilla vs Kong

16. A film whose title suggests it’s a horror film, but it’s not
Don't Look Up*
Scary Movie

17. A movie you haven't seen before directed a woman
Eternals*

18. A film from a franchise, series, or brand with more than 10 titles
Fast & Furious 6

24. A heist film
The Score

25. A film starring an actor that passed away in 2021
Half Baked

The Rest of the Rest - 5 movies
The Running Man
Batman: Soul of the Dragon*
The Guest*
The Empty Man
Targets*

Risked Covid for This - Didn't go to the theater this month

Favorite 1st watch - The Last Duel

Least favorite 1st Watch - The Congress

Favorite Rewatch - Total Recall

Least Favorite Rewatch - The Matrix Resurrections

Favorite Featured Category 1st watch - Misery (It won by default, but it's still very good)

Least Favorite Featured Category 1st watch - None

Favorite recommendation - Total Recall

Least favorite recommendation - None

Not sure if I'll participate for February as we're moving & I have so much crap to purge/pack.

[Doc Samson]

Originally Posted by jd_from_da_80s

So I just realized I watched Total Recall 3 times this month

Sounds like a pretty awesome month to me

[kingdoxie]

Finished with 65.

Top 5:
Cape Fear (1962) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Field of Dreams ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Garden State ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Boyz n the Hood ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

The full list:

[Show spoiler]Scavenger Hunt Main
1. Quatermass 2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A Science Fiction film set in the 1950s
2. Topkapi ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A film which won at least one Acting Oscar (Peter Ustinov, Supporting Actor)
3. Kwaidan ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A film longer than 3 hours
4. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ - A movie you haven’t seen before directed by a woman (Marielle Heller)
5. Rope ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A film that takes place in one day
6. Man Without a Star ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A film that starts with the letter M
7. Flight of the Intruder ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A film you've owned/on your backlog the longest but never seen
8. Children of the Damned ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A foreign movie from the 1960s
9. Last Action Hero ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A film with a car chase
10. Who Framed Roger Rabbit ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ - A film combining animated and live action characters
11. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ - A film where the hero dies
12. The Brothers Rico ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A film that is on any director's lists (Martin Scorsese)
13. The Valachi Papers ⭐⭐⭐½ - A film starring one of your favorite actors or actresses (Charles Bronson)
14. Body Double ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ - A film starring or made by the child of a famous actor/director (Melanie Griffith)
15. Field of Dreams ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A film you haven't seen in 5-10 years
16. The World, the Flesh and the Devil ⭐⭐⭐½ - A post-apocalyptic film
17. Cape Fear (1962) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - The original film to a remake
18. Black Test Car ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A film with a color in the title
19. Some Came Running ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ - A movie starring a musician (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin)
20. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A western film from the 60s

Scavenger Hunt Alternates
1. The Ghost Ship ⭐⭐⭐½ - A film whose title suggests it’s a horror film, but it’s not
2. Garden State ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ - An indie director’s debut film (Zach Braff)
3. The Night Holds Terror ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A favorite actor or director's first movie (John Cassavetes)
4. Doctor X (1932) ⭐⭐⭐ - A Pre-Code Hollywood film (released prior to the Hays Production Code (1934))
5. Runaway Train ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ - A film produced by The Cannon Group, Inc.

Film Noir/Crime
1. Shield for Murder ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Native Son ⭐⭐½
3. Walk East on Beacon! ⭐⭐⭐½
4. Walk a Crooked Mile ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. Too Late for Tears ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Award Winners
1. David Holzman’s Diary ⭐⭐
2. Doctor Zhivago ⭐⭐⭐½
3. Mondo Cane ⭐⭐½
4. King of New York ⭐⭐⭐½
5. The Gospel According to St. Matthew ⭐⭐½

Blu-ray/UHD Backlog
1. Bedlam ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. The Black Report ⭐⭐⭐½
3. Step by Step ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Monsters University ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
5. The Captive Heart ⭐⭐⭐⭐

World War II
1. Where Eagles Dare ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. The Purple Plain ⭐⭐⭐
3. Wake Island ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. The Enemy Below ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. The Frogmen ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kino Lorber
1. No Highway in the Sky ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. O.S.S. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Night People ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Backlash ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. Quai des Orfevres ⭐⭐⭐⭐

1001
1. Boyz n the Hood ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
2. The Exiles ⭐⭐½
3. The Big Chill ⭐⭐⭐
4. Viridiana ⭐⭐½
5. Pandora and the Flying Dutchman ⭐⭐½

Cleaning out the DVR
1. Border River ⭐⭐⭐
2. Dial 1119 ⭐⭐⭐
3. Deadline at Dawn ⭐⭐⭐½
4. Avalanche Express ⭐⭐½
5. Berlin Express ⭐⭐⭐
6. Mogambo ⭐⭐⭐½
7. Macao ⭐⭐⭐⭐
8. The Mask of Dimitrios ⭐⭐⭐½
9. Blue Thunder ⭐⭐⭐ (Whirlybird fan)
10. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ⭐⭐⭐

[odguitar]

Not a bad month! Came up one short on the scavenger hunt, one short on the recommendations, and frustratingly, one short on the month as a whole. February is always tough getting to 50, but hopefully the deluge of films I have to watch for Indie Spirits voting helps me get there.

FINAL STATS
Total: 49 -- SILVER
30 First Time Viewings
Best First-Time Watches: The Fallout, To Die For, Woodstock, Traffic, Children of Men, Memories of Murder, Quo vadis, Aida?, The Tragedy of Macbeth
Best Rewatches: Licorice Pizza, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shiva Baby, BlacKkKlansman, in the Heat of the Night, Casablanca, Zola, Selma, Say Anything...
Worst Watches: Good Boy!, Oz the Great and Powerful, Eternals, Men, Women & Children

Originally Posted by odguitar

Recently Watched

[Show spoiler]

[Show spoiler]

Scavenger Hunt
1. A film which won at least one Acting Oscar (Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress) - Melvin and Howard* 4/5 (Mary Steenburgen, Supporting Actress)
2. A film longer than 3 hours - Woodstock (The Director's Cut)* 5/5
3. A film that is on any director's lists (can be lists of favorites, top tens, etc)
4. A film with LGBTQ+ characters - Hedwig and the Angry Inch 5/5
5. A film you haven't seen in 5-10 years - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) 4.5/5
6. An Oscar winner for Best Picture that you haven’t seen - Oliver!* 3/5
7. A movie starring a musician - Out of Sight* 4/5
8. A film starring one of your favorite actors or actresses - The Lion in Winter* (Katharine Hepburn) 4/5
9. A film starring or made by the child of a famous actor/director - Men, Women & Children* 3/5
10. A movie you haven't seen before from one of your favorite directors - Silence* 4.5/5
11. A film released the year you were born - Kundun (1997)* 4/5
12. A film with a January release date - The Fallout* 5/5
13. A movie you haven't seen since childhood - Good Boy! (2003) 2/5
14. A film you've owned/on your backlog the longest but never seen - Oz the Great and Powerful* 2.5/5
15. A film with a color in the title - Pretty in Pink 4.5/5
16. A suspense thriller from the 1990s - To Die For* 5/5
17. A movie you haven't seen before directed a woman - Songs My Brothers Taught Me* 3.5/5
18. A film directed by someone under 30 at the time they made it - Shiva Baby 5/5
19. A western film from the 60s - One-Eyed Jacks* 4/5
20. A movie that should have won Best Picture - BlacKkKlansman 5/5
21. A film that won Best Director, but not Best Picture at the Oscars - Traffic (2000)* 5/5
22. A film with a car chase - Duel* 4/5
23. A film combining animated and live action characters - Anchors Aweigh 3.5/5
24. A film from a franchise, series, or brand with more than 10 titles - No Time to Die 4/5
25. The original film to a remake - The Fly (1958)* 3.5/5

Recommendations
1. Carlito's Way* 4.5/5 (Travis)
2. The Last Detail* 4/5 (kingodxie)
3. Children of Men* 5/5 (graf1k)
4. Memories of Murder* 5/5 (graf1k)

Award Winners
1. In the Heat of the Night 5/5 (NYFCC Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor)
2. Quo vadis, Aida?* 5/5 (Indie Spirits International Feature)
3. Wild Rose* 4.5/5 (Critics Choice Best Original Song)
4. Casablanca 5/5 (NBR Top Ten Film, Best Director)
5. Lilies of the Field* 3.5/5 (Golden Globes Best Actor in a Drama)

2021 Films
1. Licorice Pizza 5/5
2. Don't Look Up* 3.5/5
3. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 3.5/5
4. The Tragedy of Macbeth* 5/5
5. Eternals* 2.5/5

Indie Spirit Nominees
1. The Lost Daughter* 4/5
2. CODA 4/5
3. Together Together 3.5/5
4. Zola 5/5
5. Test Pattern 4/5

Misc.
1. Libeled Lady* 4/5
2. Betty White: A Celebration* 4/5
3. Selma 5/5
4. Looking for Richard* 3.5/5
5. Say Anything... 5/5
6. The Go-Go's 3.5/5

TOTAL: 49

* denotes first-time viewing

Recommended

[Show spoiler]Lady Bird
The Breakfast Club
SLC Punk
Nashville
Brief Encounter
Hoop Dreams
Some Kind of Wonderful
Clouds of Sils Maria
Booksmart
But I’m a Cheerleader